Dermatological Applications of Liposomes

Liposomes have a variety of interesting features for cosmetic and dermatological applications:

They are provided with a membrane structure just like the barrier layers of the skin. Their membranes can easily be integrated into the barrier layers of the skin without changing their physical structure. Liposomes supply the skin with essential fatty acids and choline in combined form. The different substances are released by reaction of enzymes. Linoleic acid supports the formation of ceramide 1, while choline provides skin protection.

As they are able to transfer their phosphocholine group to ceramides, they interfere with the homeostasis (biochemical balance) of the skin and thus can influence cornification disorders. Minor forms of acne can successfully be treated and in this connection, the content of linoleic acid also has positive effects.

Liposomes are tiny spherical bodies (vesicles) with a shell of one or several bilayers of phosphatidylcholine and lipids. Various cosmetic active agents which are generally water-soluble can thus be encapsulated into the liposomal cellular bodies in order to protect the agents and to provide the transport into the skin.